Will California’s End-of-life Law Help You If You Need It?

California is one of 11 jurisdictions in the United States that provides Medical Aid In Dying (MAID) for its citizens. Do you know who qualifies for MAID in California, and who does not? We will discuss the current law, its restrictions, and what might be done to amend it to include the many people who are barred from accessing it.

ABOUT Marcia Hofer
Marcia Hofer, Ph.D. is a retired clinical psychologist and former professional dancer, and an avid gardener and traveler. In 2021, she and her family accompanied her husband, Ricardo, to the Pegasos clinic in Switzerland, where he was able to have a peaceful and painless death.
Diagnosed with dementia, Ricardo wished to end his life at home but did not qualify for California’s End of Life Option Act. After returning to California, Marcia began to think about the many people who are denied the right to make end-of-life decisions due to the restrictions in the current law. This concern led to the creation of A Better Exit.